“Just us.” She smiled back. “Hope you won’t be too bored.”
“I’ll be far from bored,” I said. I indicated to change lanes, aiming to cut out the Cheltenham traffic seeing as we didn’t have to swing by the house for Rick. “Do you have some clothes, at the stable? It’ll save time.”
She grinned as the traffic eased off, our route clearing. “We can stop at mine, it won’t take a minute. I can grab some jodhpurs. I have another pair of boots there.” She paused, stared out of the window. “Mum will be home.”
“Is that a problem? I can wait in the car.”
She shook her head. “You don’t have to. Unless you want to.”
The idea of meeting her mother gave me a strange thrill. I shot her a smirk. “Will I do? Am I dressed well enough to impress?”
She smirked back, reached over to smooth my tie. “Always.”
Katie lived on a regular little street in Much Arlock. A row of terraced houses with matching front doors and little front gardens. Hers was on the end. Another old Ford was parked outside, but this one was smaller. Her mother’s I guessed.
My hands were surprisingly clammy as I parked up behind it.
Katie unclipped her seatbelt and jumped out. “I’ll be a minute,” she said, grinning at me through the open door. “Are you coming?”
Yes, I was coming.
I followed her to the front door, looking all around me as she fumbled with a jangle of keys. She pushed the door open with a creak.
“Mum, it’s me, just grabbing some clothes!” she called. She kicked off her heels and dumped the keys on the side.
It was a nice enough place. A worn green carpet along the hallway. A couple of kid’s paintings in frames on the wall.Katie Smith, age 7. Katie Smith, age 9.One that was just a tiny handprint.Katie Smith, age 3.There was also a framed photograph,Mum and Me, the frame said. Katie, smiling in a crocheted cardigan, one of those colourful threaded braids in her hair. Her armaround a woman who looked just like her. I knew the place. I’d been there myself, my only holiday. I recognised the waterslide in the background.
Katie climbed a couple of stairs, shouted up. “Mum, are you there?”
I had the strangest urge to snoop around, track my way upstairs and look at her bedroom. I had another urge, too. The urge to bury my cock in her on her own turf. Make her mine in her own bed. Sleep in her bed, amongst her things, amidst her regular life.
I heard footsteps on the landing. “I was in the shower, won’t be a minute.”
“I’ve got a visitor,” Katie called, and she was smiling.
“A visitor?” the voice called. “Holly? Is that you?”
A little blush on Katie’s cheeks. “No, Mum, it’s not Holly.” She turned to me. “Friend from school,” she whispered.
We waited what felt like an age until the footsteps started up again. I took a breath, prepared the smile.
The woman who came down the stairs was a real stunner, just like her daughter. Her blonde curls were still wet, and she was wearing nothing but a simple t-shirt over jeans. No makeup, but she didn’t need any. Her eyes were blue and her smile was broad. Same freckles.
She held out a hand. “Debbie,” she said. “Katie’s mum.”
“Carl,” I said, and left it at that. I shook her hand firmly.
Katie looked at me, eyes wide and a little unsure. “Carl’s my boss,” she said, and my heart dropped a little. “And a friend.”
Her mum raised an eyebrow at her. “Friend?”
“Friend. Close friend.”
“Your daughter’s doing very well,” I said. “Two leads today, topped the leaderboard.”
That made Debbie Smith smile with her eyes. “Well done, Kate,” she said, and squeezed her tight. “I’m so proud.” She turned her attention back to me. “So, friend-boss Carl. Has Katie offered you a drink?”
“No need,” I said. “I think we’ll be off soon. Quick change of clothes.”